This icon painter, restorer, and miniaturist was born in Kukarka of the Vyatka province in 1885. He attended the Mstera Icon-Painting School from 1900-1905. Vasily Ovchinnikov worked in icon studios in Mstera (1905 - 1911) and Moscow (1911-1919).
As an artist, Ovchinnikov contributed much to the art profession and community. From 1911 to 1919, he restored the ancient Russian paintings in the Moscow Kremlin. He later lead a group of artists in the restoration of the frescoes in the Cathedrals of the Annunciation and the Assumption in Moscow. Member of the "Proletarian Art" Artel since 1931. Founder of Mstera lacquered miniature painting. To add a greater element of diversification to this talented artist's career, he taught miniature art techniques at the Mstera Vocational Art School from 1932 to 1941. He became a member of the USSR Union of Artists. In 1944, Ovchinnikov painted theater scenes in Vladimir and then in Moscow in 1950. However, for all his creative endeavors, he is best known as the founder of Mstera lacquered miniature painting.
Ovchinnikov's talents and contributions didn't go unnoticed by the art community and collectors. In 1933 he began participating in art exhibitions. It was at the 1937 Paris World's Fair that he received the Gold Medal and honor of Grand Prix winner.
 Dmitriev N.G., 1986, "Mstera Made by Hand", Artist of RSFSR, Leningrad
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